Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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Lightning
by: Chiruken
Chapter 6
Kaoru shook her head in exasperation at her companion. "Kenshin…it's just an elevator." Honestly…he acts as if he's never seen modern conveniences before!
Eyeing the strange box-like contraption warily he took a half step back away from it as tiny bells went off again as the metal shouji swished open mysteriously for the fourth time. "Tell me what it does again, Kaoru-dono."
Setting her bag on the floor wearily she flexed her shoulders. "It moves people from floor to floor quickly."
"Why? Why not use steps?" He didn't trust this 'elevator'. Each time the shouji slid open he peered inside but saw no one within the cramped interior of the box. It made no sense to him. The lights were so bright they were hurting his eyes and the mirrors were really beginning to creep him out. There were too many, making the tiny cubicle appear endless.
"Because I live on the sixteenth floor, Kenshin!" She threw her hands up in frustration. Narrowing her eyes she grabbed his arm and dragged him inside the next time the door swished open, kicking her bag in before them.
"O-oro!" Before he could turn around and escape the mirrored box the shouji swished closed with another sounding of bells. Eyes round with panic he backed up until his back hit the cool smoothness of the mirror behind him. "K-Kaoru-dono…" He whispered fearfully, not understanding why she'd dragged him into such a place forcefully.
"Just sit tight. We'll be on my floor in just a sec." She reached out and jabbed a finger on the appropriate button and then rocked back on her heels humming along with the elevator music.
Eyes narrowing in on the buttons on a panel he scowled when he saw that they were glowing eerily with a light all their own. Looking up at the sound of music he wondered where the musicians were kept since it was so small. Suddenly his hair stood on end as the box began to shake just before his stomach dropped down to his toes. Dropping down to the floor with an unmanly squeal of terror he covered his head and began praying to all the kami he could think of, begging forgiveness for his sins during the Bakamatsu and pleading for the young girl's life, certain that divine punishment had finally found him.
Staring at her companion as he huddled on the floor, Kaoru began to wonder if it had been wise inviting him back to her apartment like this. "Ano…Kenshin…what are you doing?" The elevator came to a stop and the doors opened soundlessly again. "This is our stop. Come on, get up!" She looked around quickly. "Hurry up before someone sees you!" She grabbed his ponytail and pulled hard to get his attention. He looked up, his eyes revealing his fear. "Are you claustrophobic, Kenshin?" She smiled in reassurance and urged him out of the elevator, dragging her bag behind her. "Hey, don't worry about it. A lot of people are. Come on, my apartment's this way."
What is claustrophobic? Shrugging, he pushed the question aside and followed her quickly, casting one last death glare at the elevator as the bells chimed a final time and the shouji closed with a soft whoosh of air. "I think I'll use steps from now on, Kaoru-dono, if it's all the same to you, that I will."
Reaching into her pocket she shook her head. "Suit yourself, Kenshin. You should get some help for that, you know. Sometimes going for counseling helps to get over irrational fears."
"Counseling?" He repeated slowly before he frowned. "I hardly think talking strategies will help, Kaoru-dono. And I don't consider it to be irrational either. That…that…thing is so wrong it wafts off of it in waves of negative ki!"
"Negative…" She pushed the door open and turned to him questioningly. "What is ki?" She chose to ignore his other comments and focused instead on one that was very intriguing. She'd heard the term before, but never really understand it.
"Ano…" He placed a hand behind his head and smiled brightly. "It's rather difficult to explain, Kaoru-dono, that it is."
"Kaoru."
"Oro?"
"It's just plain Kaoru." She motioned him into her apartment and closed the door quickly. Hastily locking the deadbolt and chain before turning she breathed a sigh of relief. So far so good…no one's stopped us or paid too much attention to how he's dressed… "It really makes me uncomfortable with you adding the 'dono' suffix all the time." Tossing her book bag too the side she switched on the light and hurried to the little kitchenette. "Are you hungry?"
Looking around with wide eyes Kenshin hastily removed his shoes before stepping forward. "Is this your home Kaoru-do…Kaoru?" He felt odd addressing her in such a familiar way. It just didn't seem right too him. It was too intimate for his peace of mind.
"Yeah…for now it is. I want to get something a little…" She paused and turned to survey her apartment. "Well…something a little nicer."
Eyes wide with awe Kenshin slowly stepped around the apartment. "I think your home is very nice, Kaoru-do…er…Kaoru." I must get used to this…if only to please Kaoru.
"Yeah, right. It's a dive, Kenshin. But it's all I can afford right now."
Dive? What's a dive? "I…see…" He murmured softly as he peered into the corners. "Ano…" He turned back to her with a puzzled frown. "There appears to be only one room, that there does."
"That's because it is…except for the bathroom of course. That's separate." She pointed off to the side. "It's through that door. And Kenshin?" She waited until his violet eyes were on her again. "Please don't leave the seat up…that just irritates me when guys do that."
Seat? Nodding automatically he stepped closer and slowly opened the door to peer inside. Blinking rapidly he stared in surprise. "K-Kaoru-dono…you have a furo in your home…" Peering around the dimly lit interior he gasped. "And…and…" He turned back to her with wide eyes before stepping inside. Crouching down on the floor he stared at the odd chair. Tilting his head to the side he frowned. "Now…why would someone want a hollow chair? And with water in it no less." Scratching his head in puzzlement he shifted around it, looking at it from different angles. "Hmm…what is its purpose?"
Kaoru slowly stepped up to the open door and peered inside. "Kenshin…what are you doing with my toilet?"
"Toilet?" He repeated slowly before turning his attention back to it. Suddenly he snapped his fingers. "Oh! Benjo!" He nodded and stood with a triumphant grin. "I understand, that I do." I wonder why it's inside?
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Notes & Definitions:
Benjo
ToiletThe Japanese toilet, which you have to squat over to use (unless of course you are a man or boy urinating) seems very inconvenient to Westerners. But the Japanese see their "squatter" as more sanitary, since the body does not have to come in contact with the toilet. One end of the toilet has a hood, which you face as you squat. Many public facilities have both Japanese- and Western-style toilets, although it is not unusual for these same place to not have toilet paper or hand towels. Japanese often carry tissues for wiping and a hankachi for drying their hands. Since stalls have doors that go all the way to the floor (remember you squat on traditional toilets), you must knock to see if the stall is occupied. The person inside will not speak but will knock in response. In private homes and inns (ryokan) are slippers by the door that you use only in the toilet. Toilets and the bath are not in the same room. Flush toilets are common in cities, but many country homes still use pit toilets, where many children believe filthy demons reside.